Macknyfe Strippers, Deetailers, and Muckrakers are used worldwide
by top winning exhibitors and handlers of wire-coated breeds. The
distinctive "fish tailed" handle reduces twisting of the tool in the
hand during use, which reduces the formation of blisters and sore
spots. The rounded corners of the blades and flats on the ends of all
teeth reduce the chance of cuts and scrapes to the dog being groomed.

All of these tools are carefully treated to reduce sharpness of the
blade, thereby reducing the amount of hair cut instead of stripped. In
use, these tools should not cut the hair but grab it, in conjunction
with the thumb, enabling the groomer to remove the hair easily from the
animal.

How to Hold and Use

The tool should be grasped firmly with the thumb against the tapered
surface of the blade (the grooves in the back of the blade are
machining artifacts only and play no role in the use of the tool) with
the "fish tail" resting firmly but comfortably against the heel of the
hand.

In normal use, the blade should remain perpendicular relative to the
animal's skin. As the coat is stripped, mucked, or carded, the blade
should always remain in this relative position. The tool should NOT be
rolled in use, but should be moved in a sweeping motion. If rolled, it
will cut or break the hair, leaving unwanted bristles and thick, cut
hair ends. The desired sweeping motion is properly achieved most easily
using elbow motion only -- usually augmented by a swiveling (not
rolling) wrist motion. We recommend that beginners develop proper
technique with the elbow motion only.

Techniques

Stripping

Stripping is used to remove coat -- whether all to start a new coat, or some to
shape an existing coat. Coat is always stripped in the same direction
as the hair lays or points.

With the tool or index finger, brush the hair up with one motion and
with the return motion, grasp the hair you want to remove between the
thumb and the blade and pull it out.

You should pull only as much hair as the dog will tolerate without
signs of distress. This will vary from part to part of the coat -- with
throat, ears, and rear end being more sensitive than the back, legs,
back of neck and head.

With this technique, you should pull only the longest hairs -- do
not grab deeply into the coat -- and work the coat down by stages until
the desired length and shape are achieved. Consult the grooming guide
for your breed to determine proper coat lengths for various body areas.

Teeth on the tools can be used as "depth gauges" to achieve uniform
length in the areas where various short lengths are required; e.g., the
ears, head, throat, rear end. Simply place the tool teeth lightly
against the skin through the coat, grasp any hair you can get between
the blade and your thumb and remove it. To maintain coat this short,
you should use this technique on these short areas at least weekly.

Remember: ALWAYS support the
coat/skin with your free hand while stripping.

Mucking

Mucking is used to remove dead or fine hair overlaying the show coat as well as
to remove excess undercoat.

Support the coat/skin with your free hand. Place the tool and your
thumb 1"-2" apart, onto the coat, slight pressure only, then pull the
tool blade to your thumb with hand motion only. Hold the trapped hair
lightly and pull. Live hair should slip through while fuzz and dead
hair are removed.

This is a combined hand motion to pull the tool to the thumb and
wrist-elbow motion to remove the dead hair and fuzz.

Carding

Carding is used to remove excess undercoat and to enable the show coat to lay
smoothly.

Support the coat with your free hand if needed. Comb the coat with
the tool, removing accumulated undercoat after each stroke with a quick
wipe of the thumb. The "Fine" stripper works well for most of the body
coat, while an "Extra Fine" may be required for short, uniform length
areas.